Australian Academic Culture
Depending on where you come from, you may find some differences when studying in Australia. The University of Melbourne provides a wide range of academic support during your studies here.
- Less scheduled class time
- The need to be a more self-directed learner
- Less individualised attention from professors/lecturers
- More active discussion in tutorial classes
- An argumentative, not descriptive, style of writing in essays and exams.
- Few, but heavily weighted, pieces of assessment late in the semester.
- A different approach to grading assignments
Academic support services
Although you may be very familiar with and successful in your home study environment there will be many academic differences in another country — even though the same language may be spoken. Visit the Academic Skills Unit (ASU) for advice.
The ASU has produced a useful publication, "Study in Australia: The Study Abroad Student's Guide to Success" (340kb pdf) for Study Abroad and Exchange students.
Translation of grades
On completion of your semester abroad you will receive a University of Melbourne Statement of Results. Not all home institutions will translate your University of Melbourne grades to their precise equivalents.
Below is a suggested translation scale for the conversion to US or Canadian grades. Translation of results in other countries will vary from one institution to another.
| University of Melbourne Grade | Percentage Grade | USA/Canada |
| H1 | 80–100 | A |
| H2A | 75–79 | A- |
| H2B | 70–74 | B+ |
| H3 | 65–69 | B |
| P | 60–64 | B- |
| 55–59 | C+ | |
| 50–54 | C | |
| N | 45–49 | C- |
| 40–44 | D+ | |
| 35–39 | D | |
| 30–34 | D- | |
| 29–0 | F |